AWAMO have released Australia's first K9 Veterans Challenge Coin.

Challenge coins have long been a part of defence service culture. And any military person never wants to be caught out not having their challenge coin. Particularly at the bar!

The K9 Veteran Challenge coin has been introduced to help support our veteran ANZAC & Service Dogs when they need it most.

ADF & Emergency Services throughout A/NZ have policies that their duty-of-care to Service Dogs ends when they retire.

Understandably most of the significant health costs come at the end of a dog's life and its left to the people who volunteer to take responsibility of our four-legged veterans to carry this financial burden. Its also why Pet Insurance is not available to our k9 Veterans.

AWAMO donates funds to Ex-Military and Ex-Police dogs to purchase medication, pay veterinary bills, and supply comfort aids - such as beds, coats and toys. They also work with commercial partners to subsidise the cost of cremation and honouring them with a burial head stone.

Over recent times 11 Australian Dogs have given the ultimate sacrifice, killed in Afghanistan protecting our troops, whilst many more Police dogs continue to risk their lives daily.

We owe them much, at least to make their last few years of retired life comfortable and given them access to the medical treatment they need.

The purchase of a challenge coin will help these veterans when they need it most. Proceeds go to AWAMO's K9 Vetran retirement program.